Air Hose Hanger for a Rail Way Vehicle

ABSTRACT

An air hose hanger for supporting flexible air hoses of a trainline braking system of a rail car includes a head including a mounting plate for mounting the hanger to a coupler of a rail car, the mounting plate including first and second apertures for receiving first and second bolts for attaching the mounting plate to the coupler, and an arm removably attached to the head. The arm includes a first arm removably attached to the head extending in a substantially vertical direction away from the head, and a second arm integral with the first arm and extending in a horizontal direction substantially parallel to an axis of the coupler. The head is attached to the coupler at three preformed holes formed in the coupler, the three preformed holes including two lightener holes preformed in the coupler, and an aperture preformed in a tab on an underside of the coupler.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally towards hangers/couplers forsupporting flexible air (i.e., brake) hoses between adjacent rail carsand, in particular, towards hangers/couplers for supporting flexible air(i.e., brake) hoses between adjacent rail cars known as “cushioned cars”which include cushioned couplers for shock absorption.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A brake system for a rail car, and preferably a cushioned car, generallyincludes a pipe which is attached to the rail car, and which pipeterminates in a valve at the end of the rail car. The valve is connectedto a flexible hose which connects to a flexible hose on an adjacent carvia a glad hand to connect the brake line pipe of adjacent cars togetherfor proper operation of the braking system. The flexible hose on eachcar is supported by a hanger bracket, which is designed to maintain thehose a specified distance from the ground. Typically, this distance isset by Association of American Railroads (“AAR”) standards. Such aconnection permits the rail cars (in addition to the flexible hoses) tobe readily connected to, and disconnected from, each other. Further, theflexible nature of the hose helps support the brake system through turnswhen the axes of the rail cars are angled with respect to one another.

However, a problem with cushioned couplers (used extensively on autoracktrain cars—i.e., cushioned cars) is the issue of needing brake hosesupports that will move in tandem with the couplers to hold up hoseslack while preventing air hose separations at the glad handconnections. It is estimated that air hose separation is one of thelargest causes of train stoppage for cushioned cars. Additionally, theAAR standard distance from the trainline support casting to the end ofthe coupler, as well as the distance of the air hose above the ground,also need to be maintained.

Since the geometries of the various rail cars differ, it is difficult toprovide a hanger/coupler that will maintain the above-identifieddistances for the various rail cars.

The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or more of theabove-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The air hose hanger of the present invention is designed forapplications in the rail industry, specifically dealing withlong-travel, cushioned couplers (which are used extensively on autoracktrain cars, also referred to as “cushioned cars”), and the issue ofneeding brake hose supports that will move in tandem with the couplersto hold up hose slack while preventing air hose separations at the gladhand connections. The inventive air hose hanger is designed to mount tothe area of the coupler head that includes the lightener holes. Theinventive air hose hanger includes an arm that will extend a certaindistance downward and toward the centerline of the rail car in a planegenerally perpendicular to the longitudinal center plane of the car. Thearm then turns and extends down the centerline of the rail car away fromthe coupler head a predetermined distance. At the end of the arm, a hoseconnection is provided which suspends the air hose above thetrack/ground (e.g., at a distance within AAR standards). The hoseconnection is allowed to rotate 360°. Once the air hose is connectedthereto, the hose connection will rotate, or swivel, to accommodate thetaking up and letting out of slack in the semi-rigid (yet stillflexible) rubber air hose as the coupler moves in and out, or as thecars move through curves, causing the couplers to angle with respect toeach other. Rotation of the hose connection will be limited by the airhose itself. This rotation, or swiveling, will also isolate the gladhand connections from any forces on the hose itself, as they will betransferred into the hose connection at the end of the arm extension,which is not susceptible to hose separation issues.

The inventive air hose hanger includes a bolt-on, or otherwise attached,head which will mount directly to the coupler, and an arm extensionwhich will bolt, or otherwise attach, to the head. The arm extension andthe head are in separate pieces to account for different coupler types(e.g., E, F, etc.), as well as to allow the arm extension to beinterchangeable between bolt-on type mounting heads and/or a welded-onmounting head, depending on customer preference or specific/uniqueapplications. Thus, the air hose hanger of the present invention has theadvantage in that it can be used on a different variety of rail carswith different geometries by simply changing the head mounting designcoupler. This allows the arm extension to be used with different headdesigns to be able to attach to the different types of couplers.

In one embodiment, the method by which the bolt-on head mounts to thecoupler relies on exploiting a feature of all couplers, namely, thelightener holes (named as such because they reduce the total castingweight of the coupler by removing material therefrom in an area of thecoupler where it is typically not needed). The lightener holes arethru-holes extending into the coupler, and span from the front to therear of the coupler. The lightener holes have a larger opening at thefront end of the coupler head than at the rear end of the coupler head.This change in the size of the lightener hole allows inserts to be usedwhich can pass through the front lightener hole opening, but cannot passthrough the rear lightener hole opening. Since two lightener holes aretypically provided in the coupler, it is contemplated to utilize twoinserts. The inserts can have a single threaded hole in the center ofthem that will allow them to receive a bolt from the bolt-on head andact as a solid connector therefore.

The bolt-on head of the inventive air hose hanger can also takeadvantage of a third mounting point to ensure correct orientation. Thisthird mounting point is a small tab with a hole in it formed on theunderside of the coupler, which tab/hole is normally used to attach arubber, stretchy air hose hanger with S-hooks, much like a bungee cord.The bolt-on head of the inventive air hose hanger includes a small“thumb-like” extension that extends down from the head and outward tothe tab on the coupler to allow a single bolt to secure the thumb-likeextension to the tab on the coupler. All three of the connection pointsof the bolt-on head (e.g., at the two lightener holes and at thethumb-like extension) can be considered solid connections, meaning thatwith proper securement and using common unthreading prevention methods(e.g., cotter pins, bolt-locking tabs, etc.) the head will not come offor come loose due to vibration or shock forces, as well as normaloperating forces.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an air hosehanger for supporting flexible air hoses of a trainline braking systemof a rail car is provided. The air hose hanger includes a head includinga mounting plate for mounting the air hose hanger to a coupler of a railcar, the mounting plate including first and second apertures forreceiving first and second bolts for attaching the mounting plate to thecoupler, and an arm removably attached to the head. The arm includes afirst arm removably attached to the head and extending in asubstantially vertical direction away from the head, and a second armintegral with the first arm and extending in a horizontal directionsubstantially parallel to an axis of the coupler. The air hose hangerfurther includes first and second inserts received in first and secondlightener holes which are preformed in the coupler, the first and secondlightener holes extending from a front opening in the coupler to a rearopening in the coupler, wherein the front opening is larger than therear opening, and wherein the first and second inserts are sized suchthat they are received in the front opening and are displaceable in thefirst and second lightener holes, but are larger than the rear openingssuch that they cannot pass there through, and wherein the first andsecond inserts are disposed in the lightener holes adjacent the rearopenings and each include a threaded aperture for receiving the firstand second bolts, respectively, for securing the head of the hanger tothe coupler.

In one form, a hose connection is rotatably attached to an end of thesecond arm for rotatably supporting a flexible air hose attached to thehose connection.

In another form, the end of the second arm includes a hollow cylindricalmember configured for receiving a cylindrical member of the hoseconnection, wherein the cylindrical member of the hose connection isattached to the hollow cylindrical member for rotatable movement of thehose connection with respect to the hollow cylindrical member.

In a further form, an extension extends from the head in a directiongenerally away from the second arm, the extension including an apertureconfigured for alignment with an aperture preformed in an underside ofthe coupler and attached to the coupler via a bolt passing through bothapertures.

The arm can include a “+” or “x” shaped cross-section. Further, the railcar can include a cushioned car and, accordingly, the coupler caninclude a cushioned coupler.

While various materials can be used for the head and the arm, in apreferred form the head and arm can be made from, for example, ductileiron, heat treated ductile iron, or austempered ductile iron or steelfor weldable designs.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an air hosehanger for supporting flexible air hoses of a trainline braking systemof a rail car is provided. The air hose hanger includes a head includinga mounting plate for mounting the air hose hanger to a coupler of a railcar, the mounting plate including first and second apertures forreceiving first and second bolts for attaching the mounting plate to thecoupler, and an arm removably attached to the head. The arm includes afirst arm removably attached to the head and extending in asubstantially vertical direction away from the head, and a second armintegral with the first arm and extending in a horizontal directionsubstantially parallel to an axis of the coupler. The head is attachedto the coupler at three preformed holes formed in the coupler, the threepreformed holes comprised of first and second lightener holes preformedin the coupler, and a third aperture preformed in a tab on an undersideof the coupler.

In one form, the air hose hanger further includes first and secondinserts received in the first and second lightener holes which arepreformed in the coupler, the first and second lightener holes extendingfrom a front opening in the coupler to a rear opening in the coupler.The front opening is larger than the rear opening, and the first andsecond inserts are sized such that they are received in the frontopening and are displaceable in the first and second lightener holes,but are larger than the rear openings such that they cannot pass therethrough. The first and second inserts are disposed in the lightenerholes adjacent the rear openings and each include a threaded aperturefor receiving the first and second bolts, respectively, for securing thehead of the hanger to the coupler.

In another form, the air hose hanger further includes an extensionextending from the head in a direction generally away from the secondarm, the extension including an aperture configured for alignment withthe third aperture preformed in the underside of the coupler andattached to the coupler via a bolt passing through both apertures.

In a further form, the air hose hanger further includes a hoseconnection rotatably attached to an end of the second arm for rotatablysupporting a flexible air hose attached to the hose connection.

In yet a further form, the end of the second arm includes a hollowcylindrical member configured for receiving a cylindrical member of thehose connection, wherein the cylindrical member of the hose connectionis attached to the hollow cylindrical member for rotatable movement ofthe hose connection with respect to the hollow cylindrical member.

The arm can include a “+” or “x” shaped cross-section. Further, the railcar can include a cushioned car and, accordingly, the coupler caninclude a cushioned coupler.

While various materials can be used for the head and the arm, in apreferred form the head and arm can be made from, for example, ductileiron, heat treated ductile iron, or austempered ductile iron or steelfor weldable designs.

While the head and arm are described herein in the form of a two-piecedesign, it should be appreciated that a one-piece design is alsocontemplated where the head and arm are integral with each other.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an air hose hangerthat solidly connects to a coupler using connections inherent to atypical coupler.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a universalair hose hanger that may be utilized with rail cars of differentgeometries.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide atwo-piece air hose hanger consisting of a head and arm extension, whichallows for different arm extensions to be utilized with the same head toaccount for different geometries of rail cars.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an airhose hanger that exploits common features of couplers for each ofinstallation.

Other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention can beobtained from a study of the specification, the drawings, and theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features, details and advantages of the present invention arisefrom the following description in which different exemplary embodimentsare illustrated in more detail by means of the attached drawings. In thefigures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air hose hanger in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an air hose hanger in accordance withthe present invention connected to a rail car coupler and having aflexible air (i.e., brake) hose connected thereto;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional detailed view showing inserts provided inthe lightener holes in the coupler for attachment of the air hose hangerhead thereto taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 4 is a sectional detailed view illustrating the head of theinventive air hose hanger mounted to a rail car coupler;

FIG. 5 is a perspective detailed view showing the third connection pointof the inventive air hose hanger to the rail car coupler;

FIG. 6 is a perspective detailed view showing inserts provided in thelightener holes in the coupler for attachment of the air hose hangerhead thereto;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the inventive air hose hanger;and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating rotation of the hoseconnection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 7, an air hose hanger in accordance with thepresent invention is shown at 10. The air hose hanger is designed to bemounted to a rail car coupler 12 and rotatably support the flexibleair/brake hose 14 connected between the rail cars as part of the trainbrake system, as will be described in more detail hereafter. As shownand described herein, the air hose hanger 10 is of a two-piececonstruction, and includes a head portion, or head, 16 having an armextension, or arm, 18 extending therefrom. The arm 18 includes twoportions, or arms, extending approximately 90° relative to each othersuch that the arm 18 is substantially “L” shaped. With the hanger 10attached to the rail way coupler 12 (see e.g., FIG. 2), the arm 18includes a first arm 20 that extends a certain distance downward andtoward the centerline of the rail car (not shown) in a planeperpendicular to the longitudinal center plain of the rail car, and asecond arm 22 that extends down the centerline of the rail car away fromthe coupler head a certain distance. As previously noted, the first 20and second 22 arms are approximately 90° apart such that the arm 18 issubstantially “L” shaped.

It is contemplated herein that the head 16 and arm 18 can be made of,for example, ductile iron, heat treated ductile iron, or austemperedductile iron or steel for weldable designs. However, one skilled in theart will appreciate that other materials may be used without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention. One skilled in theart will further appreciate that while the head 16 and arm 18 aredescribed herein in the form of a two-piece design, one-piece design isalso contemplated where the head 16 and arm 18 are integral with eachother, without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

At the end of the arm 18 (specifically second arm 22), a hose connection24 is provided for suspending the air (brake) hose 14 above the trackand allowing the hose 14 to swivel, or rotate, (see arrow 26 in FIGS. 1and 8) to accommodate the taking up and letting out of slack in thesemi-rigid, yet still flexible, air hose 14 as the coupler 12 moves inand out. When the coupler 12 is installed in a rail car, it willgenerally move in front and back directions as well as left to rightdirections around turns. The hose connection 24 will rotate toaccommodate for the slack in the coupling system.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 8, the end of the second arm 22includes a hollow cylindrical member 28 which receives a cooperatingcylindrical member 30 of the hose connection 24. A cotter pin (notshown) is extended through the top portion of the cylindrical member 30to maintain the rotational relationship of cylindrical members 28 and 30(see arrow 26 in FIGS. 1 and 8), as will be appreciated by one skilledin the art. Further, the angle of rotation of the hose connection 24 maybe adjusted to be limited, or may rotate freely 360° and be limited bythe air hose itself, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

The hose connection 24 generally includes a first threaded aperture 32which is connected to the air (brake) hose 14 (see FIGS. 1-2 and 8) andgenerally faces away from the rail car body when the hanger 10 isconnected to the coupler 12. A flanged aperture 34 is opposite, and incommunication with, the threaded aperture 32, and is also typicallythreaded. The flanged aperture 34 connects a flexible air (brake) hosebetween the hanger 10 and the angle cock valve (not shown) on the railcar body.

The head 16 is connected to the arm extension 18 via bolts 36 whichextend through cooperating connector plates 38, 40 formed on the end ofthe head 16 and the arm extension (specifically first arm 20),respectively, and are fastened, for example, using lock nuts or otherfastening means. The head 16 is connected to the rail way coupler viatwo bolts 42 which are connected to inserts provided in the lightenerholes of the rail way coupler 12, as will be described hereafter.Providing the hanger 10 in a two-piece construction (head 16 and arm 18)allows the hanger to be used with different coupler types (e.g., E, F,etc.) by simply changing the head mounting design coupler. This allowsthe arm extension to be used with different head designs to be able toattach to the different types of couplers. Additionally, should the arm18 or the hose connection 24 become damaged, they can be readilyreplaced without having to remove the entire hanger 10 from the coupler,resulting in cost savings in maintenance operations.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 7, the arm 18 has a generally “+” or “x”shaped cross-section. Such a cross-section adds strength to the arm 18against lateral and/or longitudinal forces, and helps to facilitateconnection of the arm 18 to the head 16 via the bolts 36 and connectorplates 40, 38, respectively. For ease of connection, the head 16 alsohas a generally “+” or “x” shaped cross-section at an area directlyadjacent the connector plate 38. However, one skilled in the art willappreciate that the cross-section of the arm 18 (and also the head 16 ingeneral and directly adjacent the connector plate 38) is/are notcritical to the present invention, and the arm 18 (and head 16) may haveany cross-sectional shape without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4 and 6, the head 16 of the hanger 10 is connectedto the coupler 12 utilizing the lightener holes provided in the coupler12. As previously noted, the lightener holes are provided in the coupler12 to reduce the total casting weight of the coupler 12 by removingmaterial from the coupler 12 where it is generally not needed. As shownin FIGS. 2-4 and 6, the lightener holes generally include an upperlightener hole 44 and a lower lightener hole 46. The upper and lowerlightener holes 44, 46 extend into the coupler 12 from a front opening48, 50 to a rear opening 52, 54, respectively. The front opening 48, 50is generally larger than the rear opening 52, 54.

Inserts 56 and 58 are inserted into the lightener holes 44 and 46 at thefront openings 48 and 50 thereof, respectively. The inserts 56, 58 aresized such that they are smaller than the front openings 48, 50, butlarger than the rear openings 52, 54. The inserts 56, 58 are inserted inthe front openings 48, 50 and moved through lightener holes 44, 46 inthe direction of dotted arrows (see FIGS. 4 and 6) until they sitadjacent the rear openings 52, 54. Since the inserts 56, 58 are largerthan the rear openings 52, 54, they will not pass through the rearopenings 52, 54.

The inserts 56, 58 include threaded apertures 60 formed therein.Preferably, the threaded apertures 60 are centered, but may be placed atany convenient point on the inserts 56, 58. The inserts 56, 58 arealigned with the rear openings 52, 54 and the bolts 42 pass throughcorresponding apertures formed in a mounting plate 62 of the head 16 andare threaded into the apertures 60 formed in the inserts 56, 58. Thebolts 42 are tightened to pull the inserts 56, 58 up against the edgesof the coupler 12 that define the rear openings 52, 54 to fasten thehead 16, and thus the hanger 10, securely to the coupler 12. By usingthe lightener holes 44, 46 that are already formed in the coupler 12, noadditional holes or fastening means need formed in the coupler 12.Additionally, FIGS. 4 and 7 show a lock washer 64 utilized in securingthe bolts 42 to the inserts 56, 58. However, the lock washer 64 may beomitted.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, 5 and 7, to provide added stability andsecurement of the hanger 10 to the coupler 12, a third connection pointon the coupler 12 is used to fasten the hanger 10 thereto. In thisregard, the head 16 includes an extension (e.g., a thumb-like extension)66 which extends from the head 16 in a direction generally away from therail car body. This third connection point attaches to a small tab 68generally provided on the underside of the coupler 12 body, which tab 68includes a hole for attaching an elastic air support hanger 72 with anS-hook 73 (see e.g., FIGS. 2 and 5), much like a bungee cord. The airsupport hanger 72 supports the air hose 14. The end of the extension 66includes an aperture 70 which is aligned with the aperture in the tab 68and secured with a bolt 74 extending there through. A lock nut 76 andcotter pin 78 (see FIG. 5) are shown for securing the bolt 74 in place;however, one skilled in the art will appreciate that any means ofsecuring the bolt 74 to effectuate this third connection point may beimplemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Since the extension 66 is secured using the aperture in thetab 68 typically used for attaching the elastic air support hanger 72with the S-hook 73, the extension 66 may include an additional aperture(not shown) to which the S-hook 73 may attach. Alternately, the S-hook73 may hook over the extension 66 so that the air support hanger 72 maysupport the air hose 14 (see FIG. 2). The three connection points,namely the two lightener holes 44 and 46 and the tab 68, provide secureand stable connection of the hanger 10 to the coupler 12, such that thehead 16 (and thus the hanger 10) will not come off or come loose due tovibration or shock forces, as well as normal operating forces.

While the present inventive hanger 10 has particular utility for usewith cushioned cars having cushioned couplers that move in a horizontalplane, it should be understood that the inventive hanger 10 may beimplemented and attached to any coupler to support the air hose. Forexample, the hanger 10 may be attached to a rail way coupler that doesnot move in a generally horizontal plane.

While the present invention has described herein with particularreference to the drawings, it should be understood that variousmodifications could be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatvarious other modifications and alterations could be developed in lightof the overall teachings of the disclosure. The presently preferredembodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative only and notlimiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the fullbreadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.Additionally, the disclosure of a range of values is a disclosure ofevery numerical value within that range.

I/we claim:
 1. An air hose hanger for supporting flexible air hoses of atrainline braking system of a rail car, the air hose hanger comprising:a head including a mounting plate for mounting the air hose hanger to acoupler of a rail car, the mounting plate including first and secondapertures for receiving first and second bolts for attaching themounting plate to the coupler; an arm removably attached to the head,the arm comprising: a first arm removably attached to the head andextending in a substantially vertical direction away from the head; anda second arm integral with the first arm and extending in a horizontaldirection substantially parallel to an axis of the coupler; first andsecond inserts received in first and second lightener holes which arepreformed in the coupler, the first and second lightener holes extendingfrom a front opening in the coupler to a rear opening in the coupler,wherein the front opening is larger than the rear opening, and whereinthe first and second inserts are sized such that they are received inthe front opening and are displaceable in the first and second lightenerholes, but are larger than the rear openings such that they cannot passthere through, and wherein the first and second inserts are disposed inthe lightener holes adjacent the rear openings and each include athreaded aperture for receiving the first and second bolts,respectively, for securing the head of the hanger to the coupler.
 2. Theair hose hanger of claim 1, further comprising a hose connectionrotatably attached to an end of the second arm for rotatably supportinga flexible air hose attached to the hose connection.
 3. The air hosehanger of claim 2, wherein the end of the second arm includes a hollowcylindrical member configured for receiving a cylindrical member of thehose connection, wherein the cylindrical member of the hose connectionis attached to the hollow cylindrical member for rotatable movement ofthe hose connection with respect to the hollow cylindrical member. 4.The air hose hanger of claim 1, further comprising an extensionextending from the head in a direction generally away from the secondarm, the extension including an aperture configured for alignment withan aperture preformed in an underside of the coupler and attached to thecoupler via a bolt passing through both apertures.
 5. The air hosehanger of claim 1, where the arm includes a “+” or “x” shapedcross-section.
 6. The air hose hanger of claim 1, wherein the rail carcomprises a cushioned car, and wherein the coupler comprises a cushionedcoupler.
 7. The air hose hanger of claim 1, wherein the head and arm arecomprised of ductile iron, heat treated ductile iron, or austemperedductile iron or steel for weldable designs.
 8. An air hose hanger forsupporting flexible air hoses of a trainline braking system of a railcar, the air hose hanger comprising: a head including a mounting platefor mounting the air hose hanger to a coupler of a rail car, themounting plate including first and second apertures for receiving firstand second bolts for attaching the mounting plate to the coupler; an armremovably attached to the head, the arm comprising: a first armremovably attached to the head and extending in a substantially verticaldirection away from the head; and a second arm integral with the firstarm and extending in a horizontal direction substantially parallel to anaxis of the coupler; wherein the head is attached to the coupler atthree preformed holes formed in the coupler, the three preformed holescomprised of first and second lightener holes preformed in the coupler,and a third aperture preformed in a tab on an underside of the coupler.9. The air hose hanger of claim 8, further comprising: first and secondinserts received in the first and second lightener holes which arepreformed in the coupler, the first and second lightener holes extendingfrom a front opening in the coupler to a rear opening in the coupler,wherein the front opening is larger than the rear opening, and whereinthe first and second inserts are sized such that they are received inthe front opening and are displaceable in the first and second lightenerholes, but are larger than the rear openings such that they cannot passthere through, and wherein the first and second inserts are disposed inthe lightener holes adjacent the rear openings and each include athreaded aperture for receiving the first and second bolts,respectively, for securing the head of the hanger to the coupler. 10.The air hose hanger of claim 9, further comprising an extensionextending from the head in a direction generally away from the secondarm, the extension including an aperture configured for alignment withthe third aperture preformed in the underside of the coupler andattached to the coupler via a bolt passing through both apertures. 11.The air hose hanger of claim 8, further comprising a hose connectionrotatably attached to an end of the second arm for rotatably supportinga flexible air hose attached to the hose connection.
 12. The air hosehanger of claim 8, wherein the end of the second arm includes a hollowcylindrical member configured for receiving a cylindrical member of thehose connection, wherein the cylindrical member of the hose connectionis attached to the hollow cylindrical member for rotatable movement ofthe hose connection with respect to the hollow cylindrical member. 13.The air hose hanger of claim 8, where the arm includes a “+” or “x”shaped cross-section.
 14. The air hose hanger of claim 8, wherein therail car comprises a cushioned car, and wherein the coupler comprises acushioned coupler.
 15. The air hose hanger of claim 8, wherein the headand arm are comprised of ductile iron, heat treated ductile iron, oraustempered ductile iron or steel for weldable designs.